To mark the start of Mobile World Congress, this week’s first chart draws on data from our new GWI Device report (download a free summary here) to look at smartphone ownership levels.

Our latest wave of research marks the first time that smartphones have come close to overtaking PCs/laptops, with 87% of online adults now having one. Considering the relatively short period of time for which smartphones have been available, that they are now virtually equal with PCs/laptops underlines just how quickly the mobile internet has transformed online behaviors.

However, this is a trend which remains subject to regional variation. In APAC, Middle East/Africa and LatAm, digital consumers are already more likely to own a smartphone than a PC/laptop. It’s only in Europe and North America where smartphones continue to lag behind but, even here, it’s a case of when, rather than if, the mobile-first internet landscape will arrive.

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Written by

Felim is Senior Trends Manager at GWI. He oversees the Trends team who produce a wide range of off-the-shelf reports and infographics along with our Chart of the Day series. Moving to GWI after completing a PhD, Felim specializes in writing about online consumer behaviors and digital trends.

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